What happened
On 16 August 2002, a Piper PA-28-161 Cadet, registration G-EKIR, was conducting a private flight from Gloucester to Welshpool Airfield. Upon arrival, the crew found they could not establish radio contact with the tower. Given the calm wind conditions indicated by the windsock, the crew proceeded with a standard circuit for an approach to Runway 22.
After an initial missed approach due to being too high, the pilot attempted a second approach. While the crew believed the aircraft was correctly positioned and at the appropriate speed, the aircraft began to yaw to the left during the application of progressive braking after touchdown. Although the pilot initially managed to recover the aircraft to the centerline by reducing pressure, a subsequent application of the brakes caused a leftward yaw so severe that directional control could no longer be maintained alongside braking.
In an attempt to prevent the aircraft from leaving the runway, the pilot retracted the flaps and applied full power to initiate a takeoff. However, as the aircraft moved onto the grass, the pilot closed the throttle. The aircraft subsequently exited the airfield boundary, passing between two posts of a wire fence, which caused damage to both wings before the aircraft came to a stop in a nearby field.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the sudden yaw and the subsequent excursion. Following the incident, the aircraft was inspected at the site and later taxied back to the airfield under its own power. Subsequent technical examinations were conducted at Gloucester, where the chief engineer dismantled the wheels and brakes to check for mechanical failures. No faults were identified in the braking system.